Prevents pregnancy. Also treats menstrual problems and endometriosis. This medicine is commonly called a birth control pill.

Brand Name(s)

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used

How to Use This Medicine

Tablet

Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed. Different brands of birth control pills have different instructions for when to start. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you do not understand what day to start taking your brand.

You may take this medicine with food or milk if it upsets your stomach.

Keep your pills in the container you receive from the pharmacy. Take the pills in the order they appear in the container.

Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Take your pill at the same time every day, even during your menstrual period.

Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose. If you take a pill more than 3 hours late, use another form of birth control for the next 48 hours.

Store the pills in the original package, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Some foods and medicines can affect how birth control pills work. Tell your doctor if you are also taking any of the following:

Warnings While Using This Medicine

Tell your doctor right away if you think you have become pregnant. If you miss two periods in a row, call your doctor for a pregnancy test before you take any more pills.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or if you have kidney disease, lupus, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, epilepsy, asthma, migraine headaches, diabetes, or a history of depression.

This medicine may cause the following problems:

Ectopic (tubal) pregnancy

Ovarian cysts that might twist or break

Possible risk of breast cancer

Benign liver tumor

Blood clots, which may lead to stroke or heart attack

You might have spotting or irregular bleeding when you first start to use this medicine. You might have unplanned bleeding if you miss a dose or are late taking it. Call your doctor if you think there is a problem, such as if you have heavy bleeding.

This medicine will not protect you from HIV/AIDS or other sexually transmitted diseases.

Use a second form of birth control during the first 3 weeks to make sure you are protected from pregnancy.

Smoking increases your risk of heart attack, stroke, or blood clot while using this medicine. Talk to your doctor about these risks.

Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.

Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

Numbness or weakness on one side of your body, sudden or severe headache, problems with vision, speech, or walking

Pain in your lower abdomen

Severe headache, sensitivity to light or sound, nausea or vomiting

Trouble seeing, double vision, or other eye problems

Yellow skin or eyes

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

Breast tenderness or swelling

Headache

Light spotting or bleeding between periods

Nausea

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Version Info

Last reviewed on 10/12/2016

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